Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ : Daniel Goleman

[Bathsheba]

It's how I am Lulu... maybe it is because I have an inflated ego but I don't think she deliberately wanted to make me feel like a stupid timewaster... I just think she demonstrated a low EQ at that particular time... she lacked professionalism and she's probably not even aware of it. So many people just go through life without even stopping to think if they are being fair or even valuing treating people with decency. Society instills in us a sense of valuing IQ. Everyone knows it pays to be smart with numbers or words or facts.... but does society ask us to increase/improve our EQ? I don't see much evidence of it to be honest. Infact there is more evidence of support for a low EQ: value stuff over relationships, persue the status, keep your eyes on the prize at all costs, take the easy path, get rich quick, I want it now. Are these helpful? I wrote in another thread that people in developed Western societies are turning into spectators rather than participants in life... we prefer the safety of watching and judging... we are become so ego-centric... just like children. And just like children our skills of empathy are becoming more and more limited. People don't have the time to think about anyone elses perspective as they hurry through life in their quest of More. Maybe my choice to lead a slower paced life than most allows me to be this way... I am not the kind of person who likes to be rushed and I refuse to lead as fast a life as most people I know because too many important things get overlooked. But I'm rambling now. I guess my main point was that I identified this exchange with a school receptionist as an example of how choosing my emotional reaction could work for me. It honestly was not that much of an effort. I like the outcome.

ETA: also maybe I do take life too seriously but from what I am told I was born that way: with an analytical frown on my face. I know it's fun to be able to laugh at things at bit more but that's not a glove that fits me... and I think that's ok... I play to my strengths and try to improve my weaknesses. The world needs a laugh but I'm ok with quiet reflection too.